When I was right out of college, I packed three suitcases and moved from Texas to Washington, D.C. My parents were understandably concerned. They worried that I would be alone and have trouble finding my own way. I had made a few connections, and within a couple of weeks of arriving I was invited to rent a room in the home of a family. There's a particular transience to the D.C. area. Nearly everyone is from somewhere else, and this family was no exception. They remembered what it was like to be new, and they were particularly good at helping outsiders become insiders. When I moved in, I was given a chore. My simple task was unloading the dishwasher. It may seem odd, but it made me feel like part of the family. Before too long, their friends became my friends, and my friends became their friends. Our life together painted a different picture than the one we so often see in the midst of American suburban life. Like most families, they were busy people. Their schedule was already full. The thing is, this family didn't try to fit me into their schedule. They invited me into their life. In reality, their decision to open their home and their lives to me—and to others—made their schedule richer, not harder. During the years I lived there, they didn't throw a Christmas party. They threw a Christmas decorating party. They made the chili. The guests put the lights on the tree. For anyone who was far from home, the experience offered a blessed taste of home. Their hospitality welcomed us into a new kind of family. A Promise for Outsiders The prophet Isaiah tells us about a new kind of family—a family that welcomes the outsider into a promised land filled with hope. The nations will see your righteousness, and all kings your glory; you will be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord will bestow. ... No longer will they call you Deserted, or name your land Desolate. But you will be called Hephzibah, and your land Beulah... (Isaiah 62:2–4) Isaiah is often called the "fifth gospel" because his words point so clearly to the coming of Christ. His prophecy was written across seasons of Israel's history—from strength, to exile, to restoration. Again and again, Isaiah reminds God's people that despite hardship, they will not be forsaken. The land will not remain desolate forever. God will give His people a new name, a new identity, and a renewed future. The promise of Israel, Isaiah says, is available to all. Those themes are instructive for us as we think about the life of the church. Like Israel, we have a collective memory. Many of us remember a time when it seemed like everyone we knew went to church. Now that time has passed, and it can feel as though we're living in exile. But exile changes us. It makes us stronger. We may dream of returning to the place where we once were, but that place never looks the same. The house we grew up in always feels smaller than it did when we were kids. We can't expect the church to look the same either. Like the prophet Isaiah, we remember that no matter the hardship, the people who are ushered into God's promise are given a new name and a new family. The promise of Israel is a blazing torch for all to see. When I say Israel, I don't mean simply the nation. I mean the promise: the promise of salvation, the promise that God delights in His people, and the promise that no matter how rejected or forgotten we may feel, God desires to give us a new name. The question for us is this: How is that promise made visible through our lives? From Outsiders to Family One of the most beautiful pictures of that promise is found in the story of Epiphany—the manifestation of Christ to people outside of Israel. The Magi follow the star to the home where Mary, Joseph, and Jesus are staying. Long before many recognized who Jesus was, outsiders were welcomed into His presence. I love celebrating Epiphany because, the truth is, we wouldn't be here without it. Which brings us back to family. The Magi are outsiders who are invited inside. They bring gifts to Jesus. Their story is a tangible reminder that the whole world has been invited into the celebration of God's covenant with His people. Think about it. Israel was once a closed family. There were rules about associating with outsiders. Through Jesus, that family was opened to the whole world. The promise that Abraham's descendants would be as numerous as the stars in the sky was beautifully echoed in the star that led the wise men to Jesus. Thankfully, Jesus' family didn't have the television up too loud when the wise men came to the door. Thankfully, they didn't wait until all the laundry was folded before welcoming them inside. There was something special about this family. They revealed something of God to the world, and the world couldn't help but notice. The same should be true of our families—and of the church as a family of families. If God's covenant with His people opened the door for outsiders to become family, how might God use our own families to invite others into His life? Three Ways to Help Outsiders Experience Family One of the gifts of the family who welcomed me into their home is that they showed me hospitality isn't complicated. It often begins with ordinary acts of openness. Celebrate holy days that tell the story of Jesus. Celebrate holidays in ways that invite neighbors into God's story. For Epiphany, invite friends to bring gifts for children in need. Let the children help the wise men journey to the manger scene. On the Feast of the Presentation, host a shower or blessing for a newborn in your neighborhood. Our celebrations can become opportunities for others to experience the welcome of God. Invite people into your life—not just your schedule. The family I lived with didn't try to squeeze me into an already busy calendar. They invited me into the life they were already living. Share errands with someone who's new in town. Invite neighbors over for a spontaneous Saturday breakfast—and don't clean the house beforehand. Hospitality isn't about creating perfect moments. It's about sharing everyday life. Pray with expectation. Before you leave for the grocery store, head out to dinner, or run errands, pray with your spouse, children, or housemates. Ask God to show you someone who needs encouragement or a blessing. People in our fresh expression have made this a regular practice, and they often come back with stories of God's work in the grocery aisle or around an ordinary meal. A New Name. A New Family. The promise of Israel is the promise of a new identity, a new family, and a new name. As we live into that promise ourselves, we also have the privilege of helping others discover that the Epiphany—the manifestation of God's power revealed in Jesus—is available to all. FROM THE ARCHIVES: Some ideas become more valuable with time. This article has been lightly updated to serve today's mission while preserving the author's original vision.
The brown leaves crunched beneath my boots as my friend and I hiked a section of the Appalachian Trail. Along the way, we passed two very different kinds of hikers. There were the weekend hikers—families with dogs and daypacks headed back to cozy cabins at day's end. And then there were the thru-hikers. These were people carrying everything they owned on their backs, committed to walking hundreds—sometimes thousands—of miles. They weren't taking a holiday from the trail. They lived for it. Their hearts were set on the journey. And thru-hikers don't stay in cabins. Instead, when they're not sleeping in tents or hammocks, they stay in simple trail shelters. These small, open-air structures provide protection from the wind and rain, but they're not designed for comfort. They're places where strangers become friends, stories are exchanged, meals are shared, and then everyone heads back onto the trail. That image has stayed with me ever since. Cabins are for people who want to take a holiday from the world. Shelters are for people who see the world as their mission. The same can be true of our church buildings. When Church Buildings Become Cabins One of the greatest resources an established church has is its building. For generations, church buildings have represented faithfulness, sacrifice, and the life of a congregation. They have been places of worship, celebration, comfort, and community. But as our culture has changed, many church buildings have quietly shifted in purpose. Instead of serving as launching places for mission, they've become places where the church retreats from the world around it. They protect us from the unfamiliar. They reflect the preferences of those who call them home. They disconnect from the neighborhood. They unintentionally communicate that church happens inside these walls rather than beyond them. In other words, many church buildings slowly become cabins. Cabin or Shelter? Having a church building isn't the problem. The question is what that building is preparing people to do. Does it primarily gather people who already belong, or does it equip and send disciples into the neighborhoods God loves? How do you know? Take this simple test: Do the majority of groups and ministries of your church meet in the building? (+1 for cabin if yes, +1 for shelter if no) Do any community groups utilize your building? If so, do you know the names of the groups’ leaders and something about them? (+1 each for cabin if no, +1 each for shelter if yes) Does your church kitchen cook food mainly for church members or community members? (+1 for cabin if church, +1 for shelter if community) If you started a new ministry that utilized your building in a way for people who are not connected to your church, would your congregation be mad? (+1 for cabin if yes, +1 for shelter if no) Do congregation members see themselves as owners or stewards of the building? (+1 for cabin if owners, +1 for shelter if stewards) Ask 3 people at the nearest grocery store if they have heard of your church. (+1 for cabin if 2-3 have not, +1 for shelter if 2-3 have) In outreach events, do congregation members focus more on talking to people who enter your church campus or selling things from your church campus? (+1 for cabin if selling things, +1 for shelter if talking to people) Does your church tell more stories (in worship Sunday School, etc) of local missions and missionaries or foreign missions and missionaries? (+1 for cabin if foreign, +1 for shelter if local) "Does your church building tend to serve more as a cabin—a place for members to congregate—or as a shelter—a place to deploy people into mission?" Turning Cabins into Shelters The good news is that cabins can become shelters. It doesn't happen overnight, but it does happen one faithful step at a time. Remove the Walls Not the physical ones—at least not yet. Begin by identifying the assumptions, fears, habits, or traditions that keep your congregation disconnected from the people around you. Disrupt Comfort Comfort isn't bad, but it can quietly become the enemy of mission. Ask what small changes might help your congregation become more attentive to the needs of the neighborhood than to maintaining the status quo. Tell Better Stories Share stories of everyday missionaries in your congregation—people building friendships, serving neighbors, and noticing where God is already at work. The stories we celebrate shape the church we become. Audit Your Building Walk through every room in your church with fresh eyes. What spaces are underused? Who from your community could gather there? Could you imagine homework clubs, recovery groups, artists, neighborhood associations, music lessons, or community meals filling those rooms throughout the week? Audit Your Community Meet with local leaders—a principal, nonprofit director, mayor, librarian, or business owner. Ask them one simple question: What are the greatest needs in our community right now? Listen carefully. God often reveals new mission opportunities through the voices of our neighbors. Prayer Walk Walk your property and your neighborhood with open eyes and open hearts. Pay attention to who is there, who isn't, and what the Holy Spirit may be inviting your church to notice. Visit The Chapel (the FX Prayer page) for a downloadable Prayer Walk Guide. Find Teammates Don't try to transform your church alone. Invite others to dream, pray, and experiment with you. Mission has always been a shared journey. Turn Existing Ministries Outward Rather than creating something entirely new, consider how an existing ministry could become more outward-facing. Could your annual dinner become a neighborhood meal? Could your building become a home base for people serving in the community rather than simply a destination? A Place to Be Sent In the time and place in society we find ourselves, church buildings can be a game-changer in re-orienting toward mission and the Kingdom of God. When a church building is a shelter where travelers can gather and then see their mission as back on the trail, it can amplify the evangelistic zeal and change the direction of an existing congregation. Cabin or shelter—which will be part of your church’s story? Cabin or shelter? Which story will your church tell? FROM THE ARCHIVES: Some ideas become more valuable with time. This article has been lightly updated to serve today's mission while preserving the author's original vision.
What are today’s college students and emerging adults really searching for and what assumptions might be keeping us from seeing them clearly? In this episode of the Fresh Expressions Podcast, Heather Jallad sits down with Jess Trahan to explore the questions, longings, and realities shaping young adults today. Together they discuss common misconceptions about this generation, where they are finding authentic connection and belonging, what the church is getting right, and where new opportunities for mission are emerging. Whether you're serving on a campus, leading a church, or simply curious about the next generation, this conversation offers practical insights and hopeful encouragement for cultivating relationships and creating spaces where faith can take root. Jessica Trahan has served as Director of Wesley United Campus Ministry at the University of Louisiana-Lafayette since 2019. A native of South Louisiana, she had a 17 year career in college athletics as both a basketball coach and athletics administrator before answering a call to vocational ministry. Jess will be attending seminary at Candler in the fall and continuing to walk alongside young people in their journey into adulthood in the campus environment. This season, we’re diving into the streams of Fresh Expressions — from senior adults and recovery ministry, to arts, outdoors, recreation, and more. Each month, you’ll hear directly from practitioners who are navigating these fresh ways of being church in the world. Their stories will spark your imagination and encourage you to see where God is already at work in your community and how you might join in! So whether you’re a pastor, lay leader, or simply curious about how church can thrive beyond the walls, join us for Season seven of the Fresh Expressions Podcast. Related Resources:
What does faithful leadership look like when crisis hits your church or community? In this episode of the Rural Renewal Podcast, Chris and Kathleen Blackey welcome back John Crowder, author of Anchor Point. Drawing from his experience serving the community of West, Texas following the 2013 fertilizer plant explosion, John shares practical wisdom for navigating crisis, caring for yourself as a leader, responding to criticism, and helping communities move from immediate relief toward long-term recovery. Whether you're facing a crisis today or preparing for one tomorrow, this conversation offers timely encouragement and guidance. Dr. John Crowder (DMin) is the Sr. Pastor of First Baptist Church of West, TX, where he has served for over thirty years. John helped his community recover after a massive explosion in 2013. Since then, he has spent a great deal of time studying disaster recovery. He has led multiple training sessions for pastors and has spoken on the subject many times in churches and civic organizations and wrote Anchor Point after a culmination of over a decade of experience, study, and working with others going through disaster recovery. Chris and Kathleen Blackey , are hosts of the Rural Renewal Podcast. Since 2010, together they have served as co-pastors at the First Baptist Church of South Londonderry, Vermont. The Blackeys live in South Londonderry, Vermont with their children – Sarah, Daniel, and Priscilla, as well as their cat, dog, and chickens. Related Resources: Anchor Point (Paperback) How to Lead with Faith, Find Strength, and Rebuild with Hope after Crisis Join our Facebook group: Rural Renewal Podcast Community Email us: podcasts@freshexpressions.com Subscribe & Review Help us get the word out by subscribing and leaving a review for Rural Renewal Podcast on your favorite platform. Apple Podcasts Spotify Google Podcasts
At Elkhart Northside Church of the Nazarene, a soccer field has become a place of prayer, community, and connection. Since 2018, Soccer Church has been creating a bilingual space where people gather around a shared love of the game and discover belonging along the way. Here’s a quick look at what it is, how it works, and why it matters. What It Is Soccer Church is a weekly gathering built around prayer, a short devotional, and the beautiful game. Every Monday evening from May through August, people of all ages come together on the soccer field for connection, encouragement, and play. How It Works The evening begins with prayer and a brief devotional before participants head onto the field. Families are welcome—whether they want to play soccer, cheer from the sidelines, or spend time together on the community playground. Everyone is invited, regardless of skill level or church background. Why It Matters For many people, a soccer field feels more familiar than a sanctuary. Soccer Church creates a space where relationships form naturally, faith conversations emerge organically, and community is built around a shared activity. It reminds us that church can happen wherever people gather to connect with one another and with God. This snapshot was developed through thoughtful research using publicly available sources, including websites, news articles, community updates and a brief conversation with the pioneer.
At Elkhart Northside Church of the Nazarene, a soccer field has become a place of prayer, community, and connection. Since 2018, Soccer Church has been creating a bilingual space where people gather around a shared love of the game and discover belonging along the way. Here’s a quick look at what it is, how it works, and why it matters. What It Is Soccer Church is a weekly gathering built around prayer, a short devotional, and the beautiful game. Every Monday evening from May through August, people of all ages come together on the soccer field for connection, encouragement, and play. How It Works The evening begins with prayer and a brief devotional before participants head onto the field. Families are welcome—whether they want to play soccer, cheer from the sidelines, or spend time together on the community playground. Everyone is invited, regardless of skill level or church background. Why It Matters For many people, a soccer field feels more familiar than a sanctuary. Soccer Church creates a space where relationships form naturally, faith conversations emerge organically, and community is built around a shared activity. It reminds us that church can happen wherever people gather to connect with one another and with God. This snapshot was developed through thoughtful research using publicly available sources, including websites, news articles, community updates and a brief conversation with the pioneer.
When I was right out of college, I packed three suitcases and moved from Texas to Washington, D.C. My parents were understandably concerned. They worried that I would be alone and have trouble finding my own way. I had made a few connections, and within a couple of weeks of arriving I was invited to rent a room in the home of a family. There's a particular transience to the D.C. area. Nearly everyone is from somewhere else, and this family was no exception. They remembered what it was like to be new, and they were particularly good at helping outsiders become insiders. When I moved in, I was given a chore. My simple task was unloading the dishwasher. It may seem odd, but it made me feel like part of the family. Before too long, their friends became my friends, and my friends became their friends. Our life together painted a different picture than the one we so often see in the midst of American suburban life. Like most families, they were busy people. Their schedule was already full. The thing is, this family didn't try to fit me into their schedule. They invited me into their life. In reality, their decision to open their home and their lives to me—and to others—made their schedule richer, not harder. During the years I lived there, they didn't throw a Christmas party. They threw a Christmas decorating party. They made the chili. The guests put the lights on the tree. For anyone who was far from home, the experience offered a blessed taste of home. Their hospitality welcomed us into a new kind of family. A Promise for Outsiders The prophet Isaiah tells us about a new kind of family—a family that welcomes the outsider into a promised land filled with hope. The nations will see your righteousness, and all kings your glory; you will be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord will bestow. ... No longer will they call you Deserted, or name your land Desolate. But you will be called Hephzibah, and your land Beulah... (Isaiah 62:2–4) Isaiah is often called the "fifth gospel" because his words point so clearly to the coming of Christ. His prophecy was written across seasons of Israel's history—from strength, to exile, to restoration. Again and again, Isaiah reminds God's people that despite hardship, they will not be forsaken. The land will not remain desolate forever. God will give His people a new name, a new identity, and a renewed future. The promise of Israel, Isaiah says, is available to all. Those themes are instructive for us as we think about the life of the church. Like Israel, we have a collective memory. Many of us remember a time when it seemed like everyone we knew went to church. Now that time has passed, and it can feel as though we're living in exile. But exile changes us. It makes us stronger. We may dream of returning to the place where we once were, but that place never looks the same. The house we grew up in always feels smaller than it did when we were kids. We can't expect the church to look the same either. Like the prophet Isaiah, we remember that no matter the hardship, the people who are ushered into God's promise are given a new name and a new family. The promise of Israel is a blazing torch for all to see. When I say Israel, I don't mean simply the nation. I mean the promise: the promise of salvation, the promise that God delights in His people, and the promise that no matter how rejected or forgotten we may feel, God desires to give us a new name. The question for us is this: How is that promise made visible through our lives? From Outsiders to Family One of the most beautiful pictures of that promise is found in the story of Epiphany—the manifestation of Christ to people outside of Israel. The Magi follow the star to the home where Mary, Joseph, and Jesus are staying. Long before many recognized who Jesus was, outsiders were welcomed into His presence. I love celebrating Epiphany because, the truth is, we wouldn't be here without it. Which brings us back to family. The Magi are outsiders who are invited inside. They bring gifts to Jesus. Their story is a tangible reminder that the whole world has been invited into the celebration of God's covenant with His people. Think about it. Israel was once a closed family. There were rules about associating with outsiders. Through Jesus, that family was opened to the whole world. The promise that Abraham's descendants would be as numerous as the stars in the sky was beautifully echoed in the star that led the wise men to Jesus. Thankfully, Jesus' family didn't have the television up too loud when the wise men came to the door. Thankfully, they didn't wait until all the laundry was folded before welcoming them inside. There was something special about this family. They revealed something of God to the world, and the world couldn't help but notice. The same should be true of our families—and of the church as a family of families. If God's covenant with His people opened the door for outsiders to become family, how might God use our own families to invite others into His life? Three Ways to Help Outsiders Experience Family One of the gifts of the family who welcomed me into their home is that they showed me hospitality isn't complicated. It often begins with ordinary acts of openness. Celebrate holy days that tell the story of Jesus. Celebrate holidays in ways that invite neighbors into God's story. For Epiphany, invite friends to bring gifts for children in need. Let the children help the wise men journey to the manger scene. On the Feast of the Presentation, host a shower or blessing for a newborn in your neighborhood. Our celebrations can become opportunities for others to experience the welcome of God. Invite people into your life—not just your schedule. The family I lived with didn't try to squeeze me into an already busy calendar. They invited me into the life they were already living. Share errands with someone who's new in town. Invite neighbors over for a spontaneous Saturday breakfast—and don't clean the house beforehand. Hospitality isn't about creating perfect moments. It's about sharing everyday life. Pray with expectation. Before you leave for the grocery store, head out to dinner, or run errands, pray with your spouse, children, or housemates. Ask God to show you someone who needs encouragement or a blessing. People in our fresh expression have made this a regular practice, and they often come back with stories of God's work in the grocery aisle or around an ordinary meal. A New Name. A New Family. The promise of Israel is the promise of a new identity, a new family, and a new name. As we live into that promise ourselves, we also have the privilege of helping others discover that the Epiphany—the manifestation of God's power revealed in Jesus—is available to all. FROM THE ARCHIVES: Some ideas become more valuable with time. This article has been lightly updated to serve today's mission while preserving the author's original vision.
The brown leaves crunched beneath my boots as my friend and I hiked a section of the Appalachian Trail. Along the way, we passed two very different kinds of hikers. There were the weekend hikers—families with dogs and daypacks headed back to cozy cabins at day's end. And then there were the thru-hikers. These were people carrying everything they owned on their backs, committed to walking hundreds—sometimes thousands—of miles. They weren't taking a holiday from the trail. They lived for it. Their hearts were set on the journey. And thru-hikers don't stay in cabins. Instead, when they're not sleeping in tents or hammocks, they stay in simple trail shelters. These small, open-air structures provide protection from the wind and rain, but they're not designed for comfort. They're places where strangers become friends, stories are exchanged, meals are shared, and then everyone heads back onto the trail. That image has stayed with me ever since. Cabins are for people who want to take a holiday from the world. Shelters are for people who see the world as their mission. The same can be true of our church buildings. When Church Buildings Become Cabins One of the greatest resources an established church has is its building. For generations, church buildings have represented faithfulness, sacrifice, and the life of a congregation. They have been places of worship, celebration, comfort, and community. But as our culture has changed, many church buildings have quietly shifted in purpose. Instead of serving as launching places for mission, they've become places where the church retreats from the world around it. They protect us from the unfamiliar. They reflect the preferences of those who call them home. They disconnect from the neighborhood. They unintentionally communicate that church happens inside these walls rather than beyond them. In other words, many church buildings slowly become cabins. Cabin or Shelter? Having a church building isn't the problem. The question is what that building is preparing people to do. Does it primarily gather people who already belong, or does it equip and send disciples into the neighborhoods God loves? How do you know? Take this simple test: Do the majority of groups and ministries of your church meet in the building? (+1 for cabin if yes, +1 for shelter if no) Do any community groups utilize your building? If so, do you know the names of the groups’ leaders and something about them? (+1 each for cabin if no, +1 each for shelter if yes) Does your church kitchen cook food mainly for church members or community members? (+1 for cabin if church, +1 for shelter if community) If you started a new ministry that utilized your building in a way for people who are not connected to your church, would your congregation be mad? (+1 for cabin if yes, +1 for shelter if no) Do congregation members see themselves as owners or stewards of the building? (+1 for cabin if owners, +1 for shelter if stewards) Ask 3 people at the nearest grocery store if they have heard of your church. (+1 for cabin if 2-3 have not, +1 for shelter if 2-3 have) In outreach events, do congregation members focus more on talking to people who enter your church campus or selling things from your church campus? (+1 for cabin if selling things, +1 for shelter if talking to people) Does your church tell more stories (in worship Sunday School, etc) of local missions and missionaries or foreign missions and missionaries? (+1 for cabin if foreign, +1 for shelter if local) "Does your church building tend to serve more as a cabin—a place for members to congregate—or as a shelter—a place to deploy people into mission?" Turning Cabins into Shelters The good news is that cabins can become shelters. It doesn't happen overnight, but it does happen one faithful step at a time. Remove the Walls Not the physical ones—at least not yet. Begin by identifying the assumptions, fears, habits, or traditions that keep your congregation disconnected from the people around you. Disrupt Comfort Comfort isn't bad, but it can quietly become the enemy of mission. Ask what small changes might help your congregation become more attentive to the needs of the neighborhood than to maintaining the status quo. Tell Better Stories Share stories of everyday missionaries in your congregation—people building friendships, serving neighbors, and noticing where God is already at work. The stories we celebrate shape the church we become. Audit Your Building Walk through every room in your church with fresh eyes. What spaces are underused? Who from your community could gather there? Could you imagine homework clubs, recovery groups, artists, neighborhood associations, music lessons, or community meals filling those rooms throughout the week? Audit Your Community Meet with local leaders—a principal, nonprofit director, mayor, librarian, or business owner. Ask them one simple question: What are the greatest needs in our community right now? Listen carefully. God often reveals new mission opportunities through the voices of our neighbors. Prayer Walk Walk your property and your neighborhood with open eyes and open hearts. Pay attention to who is there, who isn't, and what the Holy Spirit may be inviting your church to notice. Visit The Chapel (the FX Prayer page) for a downloadable Prayer Walk Guide. Find Teammates Don't try to transform your church alone. Invite others to dream, pray, and experiment with you. Mission has always been a shared journey. Turn Existing Ministries Outward Rather than creating something entirely new, consider how an existing ministry could become more outward-facing. Could your annual dinner become a neighborhood meal? Could your building become a home base for people serving in the community rather than simply a destination? A Place to Be Sent In the time and place in society we find ourselves, church buildings can be a game-changer in re-orienting toward mission and the Kingdom of God. When a church building is a shelter where travelers can gather and then see their mission as back on the trail, it can amplify the evangelistic zeal and change the direction of an existing congregation. Cabin or shelter—which will be part of your church’s story? Cabin or shelter? Which story will your church tell? FROM THE ARCHIVES: Some ideas become more valuable with time. This article has been lightly updated to serve today's mission while preserving the author's original vision.
